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LOCKDOWN: TIME TO UNLOCK

SURABHI ALAN VARGHESE

HOPE is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness, this is a quote by African Human Activist Des-
mond Tutu. Currently, one-third of the world’s population is living under Lockdown or quarantine. So, we are in the middle
of the largest psychological experiment ever. We need to take care of our Mental health as well as the physical health over
the challenging weeks and months ahead. So how can we reduce the anguish in staying home?

COVID-19 is very much a disease of the moment. Throughout history, nothing has killed more human beings than
the viruses that cause disease. Because they are self-replicating. This sets them apart from other threats to humanity. This
is indeed an unprecedented time for all age groups. Older people are told that they are vulnerable and this creates anxiety
and stress among them. For children schools have closed as a part of this pandemic, then they have less opportunity to all
their routines. And for young and middle-aged people, they are likely to be experiencing worry and fear over the global
economic crisis and jobs. Others are postponing their marriages and things like that. In this process, we have learned to live
within our loneliness. I hope that over these dark days of seclusion we truly understand the meaning of inclusion and ac-
ceptance. It is so important to express our feelings to those around you. It is so important to communicate, cope and man-
age.

For encouraging mental and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak here are some helpful tips to reduce
stress during a lockdown:

 Prayer (God’s word is like medicine. When you meditate on it, it brings healing and wholeness)
 Maintain a new daily routine.
 Exercise within guidelines (relieves stress, helps you sleep better and boost your overall mood)
 Keep in regular contact with family and friends (via technologies like WhatsApp, Google duo, IMO etc.).
 Be careful of media (people share fake news for fun).
 Handle matters within your control (Stop stressing about things you can’t control. You can train your brain
differently than you can control how you behave, react and think).
 Self-care (exercising, eating healthy, leisure activities, sleep, beauty care etc).
 Keeping a few positive healthy affirmations on hand (remind yourself “you are stronger than you think” or “I
can handle this”) can help to eliminate negativity.
 Develop your formula for happiness or a talent. (It is never too late to start over).

Do not Judge.

 (Matthew 7:1-“Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, for God will judge you in the same way as
you judge others, and he will apply to you the same rules you apply to others).
 Always grateful for everything. (when this is over, let us remind that it was the janitors, doctors, nurses, scien-
tists, grocery and food workers who saved us.

The human mind is far deeper than what we think and it is extremely powerful. There are moments of abundance and
happiness and there are moments with deep sorrow and regret. Let the mind flow. Let us find comfort in the chaos in
whatever way we can.

“God puts rainbows in the clouds so that each of us in the dreariest and most dreaded moments can see a possi-

bility of hope”-Maya Angelou (American poet).so although there are clouds and rain there is light too. This is what makes a
rainbow or we can say different colours of life. So instead of saying “2020 is a year of mourning”. let’s say “2020 we hope

for a better year ahead”. Someday when everything gets better and settles down, we will see the brighter side of things.

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